Kiribati Travel Information

The Basics

Time

Kiribati covers three time zones: GMT +12 to GMT +14, depending on the island.

Electricity

Electrical current is 240 volts, 50Hz. Three-pin power outlets are standard.

Language

The official language is I-Kiribati, but English is widely understood.

Travel Health

Kiribati offers limited health facilities and any serious injury
or illness is likely to require evacuation by air. Comprehensive
health and travel insurance is therefore recommended.

A Yellow Fever vaccination is required for those arriving from
infected areas, and vaccinations are also recommended for Typhoid,
hepatitis A and hepatitis B.

Local Customs

Travellers to Kiribati will encounter a strange mix of
informality and rigidity in terms of social mores and customs.
Generally, Kiribati boasts a relatively classless society, where
people are known by their first names, and talk freely and
good-humouredly with one another. However, despite this general
conviviality, there are certain codes of behaviour that are
strictly observed. In all aspects of social life, modesty and
humility are considered desirable traits - direct eye contact is
not often made, women are expected to dress conservatively, and
aggressive or confrontational behaviour is heavily frowned upon.
Travellers to Kiribati should note that the top of one's head is
considered a sacred, deeply personal area. Under no circumstances
should you touch someone on the top of their head (unless invited
to do so), and if you are walking past someone who is lying down,
give them a wide berth to ensure that you don't cause offence.

Duty Free

Visitors to Kiribati may import the following goods duty-free:
200 cigarettes or 225g of tobocco and an mount of perfume
reasonable for personal use. Those 21 and older may bring one litre
of spirits and one litre of wine.

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